Public Safety Cadets Program

Provides Youth with Tools for Future Success

A worksite-based program for young men and women, the Westerville Public Safety Cadets organization has been helping youth within the community and beyond develop responsibility, honesty and integrity for several years. Supervised by post commanders Erin Peachey and Matt Ware, Westerville Police officers each with 15-plus years of law enforcement experience, the program offers cadets the opportunity to participate in hands-on law enforcement training scenarios, team-building and camaraderie activities.

While most cadets are from the Westerville area, the program also attracts individuals from other areas of the state and region. Former Cadet Casey Gullett, who finished the program last summer, found the program from her home state of Kentucky.

“I was moving up here, did a Google search of law enforcement in Ohio and found Westerville’s Youth Police Academy (YPA),” Gullett said. “I attended the Youth Police Academy and then joined the Cadet program. Westerville initially caught my eye because of YPA but both programs also were much more involved than anything else I saw.”

While training includes many expected lessons in law enforcement such as fingerprinting, arrest and search techniques, traffic stops and crisis intervention training, Gullett gained knowledge and experience in several other areas, beneficial in both professional and personal development.

“The program certainly opened my eyes to see that law enforcement was what I wanted to pursue,” she said. “However, it also taught me dedication, responsibility and community service. I was shy and it brought me out of that shell, teaching me leadership. I was able to become a role model. My time spent in the program ensured I placed an emphasis on integrity and other values I might not have learned as much otherwise.”

Cadets have the opportunity to work side by side with police officers during community service events, which could allow them to earn volunteer hours towards college credit. Events include National Night Out, Youth Police Academy Mentors, Field of Heroes and Cops-N-Kids Day. They also have the opportunity to participate in an annual state competition against other programs throughout the Ohio region and a National Public Safety Cadet Conference/Competition held at different locations across the country.

However, the chance to assist with events in the Westerville community is what will stick with Gullett the most.

“There are a lot of things that stand out but one that particularly comes to mind is the chance to retire the flag at the Field of Heroes,” she said. “We participated one of my first years in the program and it really made me feel like I was part of something much bigger than myself. The ceremony represented much of the discipline we learned within our own post. Having the Veterans around and understanding the impact of that event was a humbling experience.”

Now, after all these experiences and all she’s learned, Gullett’s next goal is simple: become a police officer for the City of Westerville.

“This program gave me a foundation to build upon, putting me light years beyond my peers.” said Gullett. “Officers have become professional references, mentors and resources for me now. Even in classes at the Police Academy now, others are learning things for the first time that I learned at 17 years old because I was in that environment.”

Looking to join the Westerville Public Safety Cadets or learn more about the program? Watch an informational video here: www.westerville.org/cadets.